The GfK market research company may have a new owner

German market research firm GfK named an executive from its main shareholder as its chairman on Thursday, on the same day a magazine reported the shareholder was considering a sale or merger for GfK.

Shares in GfK rose more than 8 percent after German weekly WirtschaftsWoche said GfK Verein, the non-profit think tank that owns 56.5 percent of GfK, was considering options for the firm.

The magazine, without citing sources, said U.S. rivals Nielsen Holdings and IMS Health as well as WPP unit Kantar were interested in GfK, which is best known for its consumer confidence indices and TV audience ratings. (MTI)